agitate Meaning, Definition & Usage
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verb try to stir up public opinion
stir up; foment.
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verb cause to be agitated, excited, or roused
commove; turn on; excite; charge up; charge; rouse.
- The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks
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verb exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for
campaign; fight; push; crusade; press.
- The liberal party pushed for reforms
- She is crusading for women's rights
- The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate
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verb move very slightly
budge; shift; stir.
- He shifted in his seat
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verb move or cause to move back and forth
shake.
- The chemist shook the flask vigorously
- My hands were shaking
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verb change the arrangement or position of
raise up; disturb; commove; stir up; vex; shake up.
WordNet
Ag"i*tate transitive verb
Etymology
L.Wordforms
Definitions
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To move with a violent, irregular action; "Winds . . . agitate the air." Cowper.as, the wind agitates the sea; toagitate water in a vessel. -
To move or actuate. R. Thomson. -
To stir up; to disturb or excite; to perturb; as, he was greatly .agitated The mind of man is agitated by various passions. Johnson.
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To discuss with great earnestness; to debate; Boyle.as, a controversy hotly .agitated -
To revolve in the mind, or view in all its aspects; to contrive busily; to devise; to plot; as, politicians .agitate desperate designsSyn. -- To move; shake; excite; rouse; disturb; distract; revolve; discuss; debate; canvass.